Exercise device with dual-axis rotation and method of use

ABSTRACT

A cable attachment is provided. Here the cable attachment features a fixed member, having a smooth portion and a knurled portion; an attachment mechanism which rotatably attached to the fixed member; and at least one handle which has both a guard portion and a grip portion. The grip portion of this handle can freely rotate about said guard portion via a first rotation mechanism, and the guard portion of this handle can rotate about said fixed member via a second rotation mechanism, independently of the rotation of the guard portion.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims the priority of U.S. Ser. No. 62/264,355 filedon Dec. 8, 2015, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The field of the present invention and its embodiments relate to anexercise device with dual axis rotation and its method of use. Inparticular, the present invention relates to an attachment to anexercise machine with handles that rotate along two axis, and its methodof use.

BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The importance of exercising is ubiquitous throughout society, and canlikely go without being said, especially in light of a growing sect ofthe population that makes their living from behind a desk, and spend anincreasingly large amount of time not being active. As this importanceis widely accepted, there exist no shortage of various fitness solutionsto achieve a better, more streamlined workout. One such device iscolloquially referred to as a “cable machine”. This machine employs aseries of a cable attached to one or more weights, run through a seriesof pulleys to terminate at an open end. This open end of the cable iscapable of accepting a number of attachments.

The ability to accept a variety of attachments is a beneficial featureof these cable machines as it allows a user to target, through a varietyof exercises, all of the muscle groups of the human body. However, anyuser of these cable machines will tell you that it can be tiresome tocontinually switch out the attachments used in order to get acomprehensive work out. This problem is particularly confounded by therise in popularity of high intensity interval training, which mandatesthe rapid iteration of exercises. As such, there exists a need for adevice that can attach to a cable machine that, without substitution,provides for a wide variety of exercises to be performed.

Review of Related Technology:

U.S. Pat. No. 1,012,802 pertains to a flexible non-elastic member,approximately the length of a person's arm. This member is attached ateach end to an arc-shaped handle or bail, to which are secured therevolving hand grips, through the medium of the bosses which are countersunk into the ends of the hand grips

U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,035 pertains to a barbell is disclosed having a pairof handles disposed along the length thereof equidistant from the endsof the barbell. The handles are rotatable through an axis transverse tothe long axis of the plane of the barbell, so that the handle can berotated to position comfortable to a user's arms for performing variousexercises. The barbell is also optionally adjustable in length so thatthe handles can be positioned at a predetermined distance from eachother.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,405 pertains to a grip handle for sport and physicalexercise implements which enables a person to maintain a full freedom ofmanual movement at the time of firmly grasping and holding to the handlegrips of the equipment provided for sportive activity and physicalexercise. The grip handle incorporates a hoop member positioned in thebend of a bow or similarly shaped element. The hoop is revolvable in thebow shaped element and has a diametrically extending grip rod which isfreely movable in the plane of the hoop. Two of the bow shaped elementsare connected to known exercise apparatus so that while working on therespective apparatus, it is possible for the wrists to work and movefreely.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,473,213 pertains to an ergonomic exercise handle havinga semicircular arcuate member for connection to a resistive member and ahandle grip having a longitudinal centerline that lies on the diameterof the semicircular arcuate member. A cable resistive member can beattached to the arcuate member with a conventional clip or with aspecial clip fitted with a small roller to reduce friction. Thesemicircular arcuate member permits the clip to move to a position inlinear alignment with a center of the handle grip and the resistivemember. Ends of the handle grip are spaced inwardly from ends of thesemicircular arcuate member by circling back loop portions extendingpast the diameter of the arcuate member and inwardly from the arcuatemember ends to the handle grip ends. The loop portions provide for agreater range of movement while still maintaining a center point of thearcuate member within the handle grip.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,691,040 pertains to a grip-handle for coupling to aresistance force provided by exercise equipment. The handle includes ahollow, generally-cylindrical hand hold. A flexion cable is fixed toopposed ends of a central shaft that is coaxial with the hand hold witha pulley guide member having a hook for engaging the equipment cablelocated therebetween. Generally-planar, circular side members havingnotched peripheries are fixed to the ends of the hand hold. Thediameters of the side members exceed that of the hand hold to maintainthe cable in position and removed from the hand of a user during thefull range of wrist motion provided by the grip-handle during exercise.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,819,789 pertains to an exercise handle for use with acord and a method for the use thereof, the handle having a channelportion having at least two channel ends that are positionednon-diametrically relative to each other on the channel portion, thechannel portion being rounded relative to a center point; a channelbeing fashioned on the channel portion, the channel being adapted toreceive the cord; a grip portion being positioned between the at leasttwo channel portion ends in an off-center relationship to the centerpoint of the channel portion.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,715,147 pertains to an attachment for exercise equipmentis disclosed. The attachment is a handle assembly with a compressiblerotating grip mechanism. The grip mechanism includes a swivel griprotatably attached to the handle, and a floating grip coupled to theswivel grip by one or more pins. The grip mechanism includes one or moresprings between the swivel grip and the floating grip.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,944,978 pertains to a pull handle that is ergonomicallydesigned to avoid unnatural stresses and/or discomfort to the user'sbody and joints through the range of motion. The invention enables auser to perform exercises that cannot be accomplished with existinghandles or may be more difficult or uncomfortable to do so. Theseobjects are achieved by providing one or more axes of rotation orflexibility in the pull handle so that the user's hand, wrist and/or arm(or foot, ankle and/or leg) may bend and/or rotate more naturallythrough the user's range of motion.

U.S. Patent Publication No.: 2004/0082448 pertains to an ergonomichandle having an inner ring with a center opening, a bearing assemblyattached around the circumference of the inner ring, a two-piece outerring attached around the bearing, a grip attached to opposite sides ofthe center opening of the inner ring, and a mounting point fixed to thesurface of the outer ring.

U.S. Patent Publication No.: 2010/0124859 pertains to an improved paddleapparatus for standup paddling of surfboards or like water craft, havinga plurality of hand grip portions rotatably mounted relative to thepaddle shaft, and a means of paddling whereby the operator canergonomically paddle with greater power and control on either side ofthe water craft without breaking either hand grip. A further improvementincludes using the handgrip in the position perpendicular to the paddleshaft to determine the blade position by feel and steer with greatertorque. An alternative embodiment includes rotation of the grip itself,further reducing the twisting of the wrists and other joints.

U.S. Patent Publication No.: 2012/0245003 pertains to a resistancedevice for use with an exercise machine includes an arbor memberstructured to be rotatably coupled with respect to the exercise machine.The arbor member having a first end and an opposite second end. Theresistance device further having a first hub coupled to the arbormember, the hub having a contact portion of variable radius; a cordmember having a first end and an opposite second end, the first endbeing coupled to the arbor member at or about the first hub, the cordmember wound about the first hub at the contact portion; an elasticelement having a first end and an opposite second end, the first endbeing coupled to the second end of the cord member and the second endbeing structured to be coupled to a point fixed relative to the exercisemachine; a second hub coupled to the arbor member, the second hub beingstructured to be coupled to a user actuatable member; and an adjustmentmechanism coupled to the first hub, the adjustment mechanism beingadapted selectively to vary the radius of the contact portion of thefirst hub.

U.S. Patent Publication No.: 2013/0157823 pertains to a variety offunctional power grips. An exemplary grip includes a generally elongatehandle portion having a gripping surface for a user, and a generallyflexible member having a first end and a second end, the generallyflexible member having a cross sectional dimension that is substantiallythe same as the handle portion, wherein the first and second ends of thegenerally flexible member are attached to first and second ends of thehandle portion, the handle portion and generally flexible membercooperating to form a loop, and a coupler disposed about the generallyflexible member for attaching the functional power grip to a piece ofexercise equipment.

Various systems and methodologies are known in the art. However, theirstructure and means of operation are substantially different from thepresent disclosure. The other inventions fail to solve all the problemstaught by the present disclosure. At least one embodiment of thisinvention is presented in the drawings below and will be described inmore detail herein.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides for a cable attachment, comprising: afixed member, having a smooth portion and a knurled portion; anattachment mechanism, rotatably attached to said fixed member; at leastone handle, having a guard portion and a grip portion, wherein said gripportion can freely rotate about said guard portion via a first rotationmechanism, and wherein said guard portion can rotate about said fixedmember via a second rotation mechanism. In various embodiments, thepresent invention is constructed out of a material selected from thegroup consisting of: steel, aluminum, iron, PVA, PVC, PET, and carbonfiber. Additionally, the first and second rotation mechanisms may employa nut-and-bolt combination or a ball bearing mechanism to achievesubstantially free rotation.

In alternative embodiments, there is a rubber grip disposed on the gripportion of the present invention. In other embodiments, some or all ofthe device of present invention is enveloped by a rubber sleeve. Whilethe device of the present invention can have a variety of sizes, it isoptimally constructed with a width ranging from 12″ to 48″. Further, inalternative embodiments, the fixed member of the device of the presentinvention can be a v-shaped bar, a bar with a single curve, or a barwith two curves.

In addition to the above disclosed device, the present invention alsocontemplates the device's method of use. Specifically, this disclosureprovides for a method for building strength, comprising the steps of:providing, a cable crossover machine; providing a cable attachment,comprising: a fixed member, having a smooth portion and a knurledportion, an attachment mechanism, rotatably attached to said fixedmember, at least one handle, having a guard portion and a grip portion,wherein said grip portion can freely rotate about said guard portion viaa first rotation mechanism, and wherein said guard portion can rotateabout said fixed member via a second rotation mechanism; attaching, by auser, said cable attachment, to said cable crossover machine, grasping,by said user, said grip portion; performing, by said user, at least oneexercise, wherein said at least one exercise is performed whilemaintaining a substantially consistent wrist angle. In variousembodiments, the at least one exercise can be selected from the groupconsisting essentially of: pronated grip bicep curls, supinated gripbicep curls, neutral grip bicep curls, pronated grip triceps push downs,supinated grip triceps push downs, neutral grip triceps push downs,pronated grip upright rows, pronated grip bent over rows, supinated gripbent over rows, neutral grip bent over rows, pronated grip standingrows, supinated grip standing rows, neutral grip standing rows, pronatedgrip face pulls, supinated grip face pulls, neutral grip face pulls,pronated grip latissimus dorsi pull downs, supinated grip latissimusdorsi pull downs, neutral grip latissimus dorsi pull downs, pronatedgrip shrugs, supinated grip shrugs, neutral grip shrugs, pronated gripseated rows, supinated grip seated rows, neutral grip seated rows,pronated grip standing straight-arm latissimus dorsi pull down,supinated grip standing straight-arm latissimus dorsi pull down, neutralgrip standing straight-arm latissimus dorsi pull down, pronatedstiff-legged dead lifts, supinated stiff-legged dead lifts, and neutralgrip stiff-legged dead lifts.

The present invention also contemplates a method of performing anexercise with a neutral grip, pronated grip, and supinated grip,comprising the steps of: providing, a cable crossover machine; providinga cable attachment, comprising: a fixed member, having a smooth portionand a knurled portion, an attachment mechanism, rotatably attached tosaid fixed member, at least one handle, having a guard portion and agrip portion, wherein said grip portion can freely rotate about saidguard portion via a first rotation mechanism, and wherein said guardportion can rotate about said fixed member via a second rotationmechanism; attaching, by a user, said cable attachment, to said cablecrossover machine, grasping, by said user, said grip portion;performing, at least one exercise, wherein said at least one exercise isperformed with a neutral grip, a pronated grip, and a supinated grip,wherein said user without releasing said grip portion. In variousembodiments, the at least one exercise is selected from the groupconsisting essentially of: bicep curls, triceps push downs, uprightrows, bent over rows, standing rows, face pulls, latissimus dorsi pulldowns, shrugs, seated rows, straight-arm latissimus dorsi pull down, andstiff-legged dead lifts.

In general, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following,and others not mentioned, benefits and objectives:

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cablemachine attachment.

It is an object of the present invention to promote wellness.

It is an object of the present invention to facilitate buildingstrength.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce clutter ingymnasiums.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device that allowfor a user to perform exercises while readily changing between asupinated, pronated, and neutral grip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top view of one embodiment of the device of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the handle of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of the device ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of another embodiment of the device of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of yet another embodiment of the device of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a further embodiment of the device of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the handle of the embodiment of thedevice of the present inventions shown in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the variousfigures are identified with the same reference numerals.

Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the presentinvention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of thepresent invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact,those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading thepresent specification and viewing the present drawings that variousmodifications and variations can be made thereto.

Referring to FIG. 1, a top view of one embodiment of the device of thepresent invention. Here, cable attachment 100 features fixed member 101,attachment mechanism 102, at least one handle 103, guard portion 104,grip portion 105, first rotation mechanism 106, and second rotationmechanism 107. As can be seen from this figure, a portion of fixedmember 101, as well as the entirety of grip portion 105 are knurled.This finishing provides for a higher static coefficient of friction,resulting in the device being easier to handle for a user, particularlywhen a user begins to sweat. Attachment mechanism 102 can also rotatefreely about fixed member 101, providing for more versatile use of thedevice of the present invention. Further, due to first rotationmechanism 106, a user may activate a wide range of muscles, as well asdifferent portions of a given muscle by rotating at least one handle 103such that different parts of a muscle may be activated. The presentinvention may be constructed out of steel, aluminum, iron, PVA, PVC,PET, carbon fiber, or some combination thereof.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the handle of thepresent invention. Here, at least one handle 103 features guard portion104, grip portion 105, first rotation mechanism 106, and second rotationmechanism 107. Via second rotation mechanism 107, grip portion 105 canrotate substantially freely. That is, as a user deviating the angleformed by their arm and fixed member 101, the user's wrist angle (angleformed by the user's hand and forearm) is capable of remaining constantthroughout the exercise. This allows a user to engage in partiallyisokinetic exercises, providing strength training in a manner absentfrom most cable attachments. Working in conjunction with first rotationmechanism 106, at least one handle 103 provides for rotation about twoaxis. This allows for a user to readily switch between a neutral,pronated, and supinated grip without releasing grip portion 105. Suchexercises include, but are not limited to: bicep curls, triceps pushdowns, upright rows, bent over rows, standing rows, face pulls,latissimus dorsi pull downs, shrugs, seated rows, straight-armlatissimus dorsi pull down, and stiff-legged dead lifts.

Referring to FIG. 3, a top view of an alternative embodiment of thedevice of the present invention is shown. Here, much like the embodimentshown in FIG. 1, cable attachment 100 features fixed member 101,attachment mechanism 102, at least one handle 103, guard portion 104,grip portion 105, first rotation mechanism 106, and second rotationmechanism 107. However, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, fixedmember 101 is uniformly curved, as opposed to the more ellipse-likeshape shown in FIG. 1. This curve will allow a user to activatedifferent parts of their muscles when compared with other variants.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of another embodiment of the device of thepresent invention. Again, cable attachment 100 features fixed member101, attachment mechanism 102, at least one handle 103, guard portion104, grip portion 105, first rotation mechanism 106, and second rotationmechanism 107. However, in this embodiment, fixed member 101 isnoticeably shorter than the other embodiments, and contains two straightmembers. The angle between these members may range from 10° to 180°.

Referring to FIG. 5 a top view of yet another embodiment of the deviceof the present invention is shown. Here, cable attachment 100 featuresfixed member 101, attachment mechanism 102, at least one handle 103, twosets of guard portion 104, two sets of first rotation mechanism 106, andtwo sets of second rotation mechanism 107. This embodiment allows for awider variety of muscle groups to be worked out in rapid succession. Forexample, a user may perform a series of exercise with the outer-most setof handles, take an optional rest period, and then may perform anotherseries of exercises with the inner set of handles.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a top view of a further embodiment of the device ofthe present invention and a perspective view of the handle of theembodiment of the device of the present inventions shown in FIG. 6.These views are identical to the views shown by FIGS. 1 and 2, with theexception that first rotation mechanism 106 and second rotationmechanism 107 employ ball bearings as opposed to the nut/boltconfiguration shown by FIGS. 1 and 2.

It should be noted that in many preferred embodiments, the handles ofthe present invention must be aligned parallel to each other.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure hasbeen made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in thedetails of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cable attachment, comprising: a fixed member,having a smooth portion and a knurled portion; an attachment mechanism,rotatably attached to said fixed member; at least one handle, having aguard portion and a grip portion, wherein said grip portion can freelyrotate about said guard portion via a first rotation mechanism, andwherein said guard portion can rotate about said fixed member via asecond rotation mechanism.
 2. The cable attachment of claim 1, whereinsaid cable attachment is constructed out of a material selected from thegroup consisting of: steel, aluminum, iron, PVA, PVC, PET, and carbonfiber.
 3. The cable attachment of claim 1, wherein said first rotationmechanism employs a nut-and-bolt combination.
 4. The cable attachment ofclaim 1, wherein said first rotation mechanism employs ball bearings. 5.The cable attachment of claim 1, wherein said second rotation mechanismemploys a nut-and-bolt combination.
 6. The cable attachment of claim 1,wherein said second rotation mechanism employs ball bearings.
 7. Thecable attachment of claim 1, further comprising a rubber grip disposedon said grip portion.
 8. The cable attachment of claim 1, wherein saidfixed member has a width, said width ranging from 12″ to 48″.
 9. Thecable attachment of claim 1, wherein said fixed member is a v-shapedbar.
 10. The cable attachment of claim 1, wherein said fixed member is abar with a single curve.
 11. The cable attachment of claim 1, whereinsaid fixed member is a bar with two curves.
 12. A method for buildingstrength, comprising the steps of: providing, a cable crossover machine;providing a cable attachment, comprising: a fixed member, having asmooth portion and a knurled portion, an attachment mechanism, rotatablyattached to said fixed member, at least one handle, having a guardportion and a grip portion, wherein said grip portion can freely rotateabout said guard portion via a first rotation mechanism, and whereinsaid guard portion can rotate about said fixed member via a secondrotation mechanism; attaching, by a user, said cable attachment, to saidcable crossover machine, grasping, by said user, said grip portion;performing, by said user, at least one exercise, wherein said at leastone exercise is performed while maintaining a substantially consistentwrist angle.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said fixed member is av-shaped bar.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein said fixed member is abar with a single curve.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein said fixedmember is a bar with two curves.
 16. The method of claim 12, whereinsaid at least one exercise is selected from the group consistingessentially of: pronated grip bicep curls, supinated grip bicep curls,neutral grip bicep curls, pronated grip triceps push downs, supinatedgrip triceps push downs, neutral grip triceps push downs, pronated gripupright rows, pronated grip bent over rows, supinated grip bent overrows, neutral grip bent over rows, pronated grip standing rows,supinated grip standing rows, neutral grip standing rows, pronated gripface pulls, supinated grip face pulls, neutral grip face pulls, pronatedgrip latissimus dorsi pull downs, supinated grip latissimus dorsi pulldowns, neutral grip latissimus dorsi pull downs, pronated grip shrugs,supinated grip shrugs, neutral grip shrugs, pronated grip seated rows,supinated grip seated rows, neutral grip seated rows, pronated gripstanding straight-arm latissimus dorsi pull down, supinated gripstanding straight-arm latissimus dorsi pull down, neutral grip standingstraight-arm latissimus dorsi pull down, pronated stiff-legged deadlifts, supinated stiff-legged dead lifts, and neutral grip stiff-leggeddead lifts.
 17. A method of performing an exercise with a neutral grip,pronated grip, and supinated grip, comprising the steps of: providing, acable crossover machine; providing a cable attachment, comprising: afixed member, having a smooth portion and a knurled portion, anattachment mechanism, rotatably attached to said fixed member, at leastone handle, having a guard portion and a grip portion, wherein said gripportion can freely rotate about said guard portion via a first rotationmechanism, and wherein said guard portion can rotate about said fixedmember via a second rotation mechanism; attaching, by a user, said cableattachment, to said cable crossover machine, grasping, by said user,said grip portion; performing, at least one exercise, wherein said atleast one exercise is performed with a neutral grip, a pronated grip,and a supinated grip, wherein said user without releasing said gripportion.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein said at least one exerciseis selected from the group consisting essentially of: bicep curls,triceps push downs, upright rows, bent over rows, standing rows, facepulls, latissimus dorsi pull downs, shrugs, seated rows, straight-armlatissimus dorsi pull down, and stiff-legged dead lifts.
 19. The methodof claim 17, wherein said fixed member is a v-shaped bar.
 20. The methodof claim 17, wherein said fixed member is a bar with a single curve. 21.The method of claim 17, wherein said fixed member is a bar with twocurves.